Paraguay, the next U.S. opponent the Copa America, crushed Colombia, 5-0, in their opening Group C game on Thursday in Maracaibo.

Striker Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat trick, and substitute Salvador Cabanas added two more in the last 10 minutes as Colombia collapsed.

Colombia had a chance to go ahead in the 28th minute when it was awarded a penalty for a foul on David Ferreira, but Alvaro Dominguez's weak shot was saved by Paraguayan Justo Villar.

Two minutes later, Santa Cruz broke clear down the left and timed his shot perfectly to beat goalkeeper Miguel Calero. Santa Cruz, who plays for Bayern Munich, needed only 22 seconds to add a second goal in the second half with an almost replica effort.

The veteran Colombian backline fell apart. Santa Cruz beat Inter Milan defender Ivan Corboda once again for his third goal of the game and then Cabanas, one of the Mexican league's best strikers with Club America, added two late goals to complete the rout.